04-07-2012, 03:15 PM | #1 |
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Falls Church, VA
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Katana Thrust
I'm curious why the (Basic Set) Katana has a reach of 1,2 swinging and a reach of 1 thrusting.
As far as I can tell, every other sword has a thrusting reach that matches its swinging reach or is longer. Some weapons optimized for thrusting, mostly fencing weapons, can be used either for a shorter or a longer thrust. The Katana seems to be unique in that its thrusting reach is shorter than its swinging reach. So why is the Katana's thrusting reach relatively short? |
04-07-2012, 03:27 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Oregon
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Re: Katana Thrust
I suspect this is because of the Katana's curved blade, which makes the thrusting motion a little awkward. Also, because of the curvature, the Katana can slice relatively efficiently with tip of the blade, which maximizes reach on swinging attacks. Compared to that, the Jian is generally limited to drawing cuts and tip slashes, but can thrust very efficiently.
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04-07-2012, 05:03 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Maitland, NSW, Australia
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Re: Katana Thrust
Yep. Unlike a "broadsword" the katana cuts best when using the last 1/3 of the blade which takes it out to Reach 2. A thrust actually requires you to "thrust", not just touch him with the tip. Once the blade goes in far enough to cause injury you have shortened the Reach to 1.
Last edited by DanHoward; 04-07-2012 at 05:07 PM. |
04-07-2012, 06:12 PM | #4 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Southeast NC
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Re: Katana Thrust
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04-07-2012, 06:16 PM | #5 |
Doctor of GURPS Ballistics
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lakeville, MN
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Re: Katana Thrust
Meh. Reach 2 for most katana's is generous. They're usually 40" long (give or take), with 9-12" of handle, leaving a blade of 27-31". Not enough to really get into reach 2, though it will certainly reach the entirety of the adjacent hex. If you figure in a foot and a half of lean, or you assume that many attacks partially enter, but don't remain, in an adjacent hex, you can wiggle your fingers at it and claim Reach 2 easily enough.
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04-07-2012, 06:34 PM | #6 | |
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Re: Katana Thrust
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Persons seeing similarities to the development of Western fencing swords win a level one kewpie doll. It's sort of a recursive proof but for the Basic Katana to have the stats it does which are very similar to the Basic Bastard Sword, the Basic Katana needs to be a blade very similar in overall dimensions. Probaly with a blade of around 40" of the type that would usually be called a "nodachi" in modern parlance. Since nodachi is normally translated as "field sword" you're being given a clue that it's a true battlefield weapon and presumably being distinguished from some other Japanese sword.
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Fred Brackin |
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04-08-2012, 12:45 AM | #7 |
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Maitland, NSW, Australia
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Re: Katana Thrust
I consider the generic GURPS katana to be more like the earlier tachi. As Fred said, more recent Japanese sabres have their own stats in MA (Late Katana).
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04-08-2012, 03:28 AM | #8 | |
GURPS FAQ Keeper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyïv, Ukraine
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Re: Katana Thrust
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04-08-2012, 03:37 AM | #9 | |
Dog of Lysdexics
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Melbourne FL, Formerly Wellington NZ
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Re: Katana Thrust
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not cuts that break skin are slices not penetration in this context Last edited by roguebfl; 04-08-2012 at 03:41 AM. |
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04-08-2012, 03:45 AM | #10 | |
GURPS FAQ Keeper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyïv, Ukraine
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Re: Katana Thrust
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(For the record, things like short shield spikes are sometimes deemed +cr even though they are sharpened, because they are too small.) |
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